Methods and memory devices for repairing memory cells

ABSTRACT

Methods and memory devices for repairing memory cells are discloses, such as a memory device that includes a main array having a plurality of sections of memory cells. One such main array includes a plurality of sets of input/output lines, each of which may be coupled to a respective plurality of memory cells in each section. One such memory device also includes a redundant section of memory cells, corresponding in number to the number of memory cells in each of the sections of the main array. An addressing circuit may contain a record of, for example, sections that have been determined to be defective. The addressing circuit may receive an address and compare the received address with the record of defective sections. In the event of a match, the addressing circuit may redirect an access to memory cells corresponding to the received address to memory cells in the redundant section.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/547,209, filed Aug. 25, 2009, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,144,534. This application and patent are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety, for any purpose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this invention relate to semiconductor memory devices, and, more particularly, to the repair of defective memory cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Memory devices typically contain a large number of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Although memory cells and other circuitry in memory devices are normally very reliable, the large number of memory cells in memory devices may result in a significant probability that there will be at least one defective memory cell in every memory device. To avoid the need to discard such memory devices as defective, techniques have been developed to repair memory cells, particularly as long as relatively few memory cells are defective. Memory cells are typically repaired on a row-by-row or a column-by-column basis in which a redundant row or column may be substituted for a row or column, respectively, containing one or more defective memory cells. The address of the defective row or column may then be recorded and compared to a row or column address associated with a received memory request (e.g., a request to write to or read from memory) to detect an access to a row or column that has been determined to include a defective memory cell (hereinafter “a defective memory cell”). The received address may then be redirected (e.g., re-mapped) to the address of the corresponding row or column of memory cells.

The above-described technique for repairing defective memory cells can be effective in salvaging memory devices as long as the number of rows or columns containing a defective memory cell does not exceed the number of redundant rows or columns provided in the memory device. However, there are usually an adequate number of redundant rows or columns as long as each defect in the memory device affects only a single row or column. A defect may make multiple rows or columns unusable if the defect occurs in a component of the memory device data path that affects multiple rows or columns. More specifically, memory cells are typically arranged in sections of memory cells, which are typically referred to, for example, as “arrays” or “blocks” and in some cases “banks.” The memory cells in each section may be arranged in rows and columns. The memory cells in each column are usually coupled to either a respective digit line for that column or a respective pair of complementary digit lines for that column. A sense amplifier may be provided for each column of memory cells, and it may be connected by the digit line(s) to the memory cells in the respective column. All of the sense amplifiers for the section of memory cells are normally connected to one or more pairs of complementary input/output (“I/O”) lines. Each pair of I/O lines may then be connected to a respective differential sense amplifier, which is sometimes also known as a “helper flip-flop.” Therefore, a defect in a complementary pair of I/O lines, such as a short circuit between the I/O lines, or a defect in one of the differential sense amplifiers, can render the entire section of memory cells defective.

The number of rows and columns of memory cells in a typical section normally far exceeds the number of redundant rows and redundant columns in a memory device. Although the number of redundant rows and columns could, of course, be vastly increased, the amount of circuitry that would be needed to support such a large number of redundant rows and columns may be immense. For example, a typical section contains 2,048 columns of memory cells and 512 rows of memory cells. In practice, 8 columns are simultaneously addressed to simultaneously provide 8 bits of data, thus necessitating only 256 (2,048/8) column decoders but requiring 8 sets (e.g., pairs) of I/O lines.

To be able to use each of these redundant rows and columns, may require circuitry, such as an array of anti-fuses, to record the address of each defective row or column. Therefore, 768 (512+256) sets of anti-fuses or other address recording devices may be required to record the addresses in order to repair all of the rows and columns in a section. Also required would be 768 circuits for comparing the recorded addresses of defective rows and columns with received addresses. Therefore, the large amount of memory cells that are unusable when a defect occurs “downstream” from a row or column of memory cells, such as in a pair of I/O lines, makes repair of such defects impractical. As a result, memory devices containing such types of defects must normally be scrapped.

There is therefore a need for a technique to allow repair of the memory cells in an entire section, such as an array or block, without requiring an excessive amount of circuitry to support such repairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a section of memory cells according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a section of memory cells according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a memory device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a memory device according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an addressing circuit that may be used in any of the memory devices of FIGS. 1-4 or in a memory device according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a portion of a memory device 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The memory device 10 includes two sections 12 of memory cells 14 that may be arranged in rows 16 and columns 18. The memory device 10 also includes a plurality of sense amplifiers 20 positioned between each section 12. One sense amplifier 20 may be provided for each column of memory cells 14. The architecture shown in FIG. 1 is for an “open-digit line” architecture in which each sense amplifier 20 is coupled to a digit line D or D* extending through one section 12 of memory cells 14 and to another digit line D or D* extending through an adjacent section 12 of memory cells 14. In practice, the rows that couple memory cells 14 to digit lines D that are coupled to one side of the sense amplifier 20 provide access to bits from the odd gap, while rows that couple memory cells 14 to digit lines D* that are coupled to the other side of the sense amplifier 20 provide access to bits from the odd gap. All of the sense amplifiers 20 between sections 22 and 24, for example, which are coupled to the digit lines D* in section 24 and to the digit lines D in section 22 may be connected to a respective pair of complementary I/O lines 26 that are also between the sections 22 and 24. Each pair of I/O lines 26 is connected to a respective differential sense amplifier 30. As a result of the interleaving of digit lines D, D* in each section 12, each section may include digit lines D, D* that are coupled to two sets of sense amplifiers 20. Therefore, a defect in one of the sections 12 that affects adjacent rows may adversely affect digit lines D, D* that are coupled to two different sets of sense amplifiers 20. Also, a defect in a sense amplifiers 20 can adversely affect the ability to sense memory cells 14 in two different sections 12. Therefore, if the memory device has an open digit line architecture, two redundant sections may be provided to replace two main section or two redundant sections that are affected by a single defect.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each section 22, 24 contains 2,048 columns of memory cells and 512 rows of memory cells, although in other embodiments, each section of memory cells contains different numbers of rows and/or columns. However, the 2,048 columns are addressed in groups of 8 to simultaneously provide 8 bits of data for each column address. Therefore 8 pairs of I/O lines 26 and 8 differential sense amplifiers 30 are required to couple the sense amplifiers 20 between each section 22, 24.

Another embodiment of a section 40 of memory cells 14 is shown in FIG. 2, in which the components that are common to components shown in FIG. 1 have been provided with the same reference numerals. The architecture shown in FIG. 2 is for a “folded-digit line” architecture in which each sense amplifier 20 is coupled to a digit line D and a complementary digit line D*, but the digit lines D, D* to which each sense amplifier 20 are connected extend through the same section 40, but in different columns. Again, all of the sense amplifiers 20 in each section are individually connected to a pair of complementary I/O lines 26, each of which is connected to a respective differential sense amplifier 30. The embodiment of the memory cell section 40 shown in FIG. 2 may also contain 2,048 columns of memory cells and 512 rows of memory cells, although, of course, other embodiments can contain different numbers of rows and/or columns. Again, the 2,048 columns may be addressed in groups of 8 so that 8 pairs of I/O lines 26 and 8 differential sense amplifiers 30 are used.

An embodiment of a memory device 50 containing 16 sections 54 of memory cells is shown in FIG. 3. Each section 54 contains 512 rows of memory cells and 2,048 columns of memory cells, which are also addressed in groups of 8 columns. Each row line may extend through two adjacent sections 54 of memory cells in a folded digit line configuration, although other embodiments may use other configurations. The sense amplifiers 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) between each pair of adjacent sections 54 may be fabricated in a gap 58 through which 8 pairs of differential I/O lines 60 extend. As shown in FIG. 3, the I/O lines 60 that are coupled to the upper sections 54 may extend upwardly to be coupled to respective differential sense amplifiers 64 fabricated adjacent the upper end of each gap 58, and the I/O lines 60 that are coupled to the lower sections 54 may extend downwardly to be coupled to respective differential sense amplifiers 64 fabricated adjacent the lower end of each gap 58. Each pair of I/O lines 60 may be connected to every eighth one of the sense amplifiers in each gap 58.

As explained in greater detail below, one of the sections 54 may be used as a redundant section of memory cells. In the event one or more pairs of I/O lines 60 or one or more of the differential sense amplifiers 64 is defective, the redundant section 54 can be substituted for the main section or redundant section serviced by the defective I/O lines 60 or differential sense amplifier 64. Although this technique may require that the memory device 50 include a large number of memory cells that will usually not be needed, relatively little circuitry may be required to support substituting the redundant section 54 for the defective section 54 because only the high order address bits corresponding to the defective section can be recorded and compared to received addresses.

A portion of a memory device 70 according to another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. The memory device 70 includes two larger sections, such as banks 74, 76, each of which contains multiple smaller memory cell sections, such as blocks (not shown), with each block including rows and columns of memory cells coupled to sense amplifiers (not shown) through I/O lines. The banks 74, 76 are separated from each other by a gap 80 in which two redundant sections 84, 86 of memory cells and sense amplifiers are fabricated. However, other embodiments may include a fewer or greater number of redundant sections, and/or the redundant sections 84, 86 may be fabricated in other locations. The redundant sections 84, 86 are coupled to an addressing circuit 90, such as a row decoder and a column decoder. The addressing circuit 90 may also be fabricated in the gap 80, but in other embodiments it may be fabricated in other locations.

In operation, a bank and row address may be applied to the memory device 70 and coupled to the addressing circuit 90. The addressing circuit 90 may respond by accessing one of the rows in one of the main sections in one of the banks 74, 76 if the row and section corresponding to the address is not defective. If the row in the main section is defective, then the addressing circuit 90 may remap the address to the address of a redundant row of memory cells in the bank 74, 76 being accessed. If the main section identified by the address is defective, the addressing circuit 90 may remap the address to one of the redundant sections 84, 86 of memory cells. If a row in a redundant section is found to be defective, then the addressing circuit 90 may remap the access to the redundant row to a different redundant row of memory cells. In fact, the redundant row may be in the same redundant section as the defective row from which the access is mapped.

An embodiment of the addressing circuit 90 is shown in FIG. 5. The addressing circuit 90 includes an address register 94 that receives and stores a 13-bit row address A0-A12 and a 3-bit bank address BA0-BA2. The addressing circuit 90 also includes control logic 98 including a command decoder 100 that receives memory commands, such as a row address strobe (“RAS”) signal, a column address strobe (“CAS”) signal, a write enable (“WE”) signal, a chip select (“CS”) signal, differential clock signals (“CK” and “CK#”) and clock enable (“CKE”) signal. The command decoder 100 generates an “ACTIVE” signal in response to a specific combination of these command signals. The command signals used by the control logic 98 are of the type typically received by a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) device. However, other embodiments may use other types of command signals.

The addressing circuit 90 also includes a first row decoder, such as a main array row decoder 110, a first match circuit, such as a main array redundant match circuit 114, a second match circuit, such as a redundant section match circuit 116 and a third match circuit, such as a redundant section/redundant row match circuit 118, all of which are coupled to the address register 94. The main array row decoder 110 may receive the bank address BA0-BA2 and row address RA0-RA12 as well as the ACTIVE signal from the command decoder 100. In response to the ACTIVE signal, the decoder 110 may generate an active high ACTIVATE ROW signal. The ACTIVATE ROW signal may be applied through an inverter 120 to an input of a NOR gate 122.

The main array redundant match circuit 114 may also receive the bank address BA0-BA2, the row address RA0-RA12 and the ACTIVE signal. The circuit 114 stores bank and row addresses corresponding to defective rows of memory cells, and compares the stored bank and row addresses to each received bank and row address, respectively. In the event of a match, which indicates an access is being made to a defective row, the redundant match circuit 114 may generate an active high RED ROW MATCH signal in response to the ACTIVE signal. The RED ROW MATCH signal may be applied to an input of the NOR gate 122 and to an input of a second NOR gate 126 through an inverter 128.

The redundant section match circuit 116 receives the bank address BA0-BA2, the 4 high order bits RA9-RAl2 of the row address, and the ACTIVE signal. The redundant bank match circuit 116 stores bank addresses corresponding to defective banks of memory cells. In response to the ACTIVE signal, the match circuit 116 compares the stored bank addresses to each received bank address, and generates an active high RED SECTION MATCH signal in the event of a match. The RED SECTION MATCH signal may be applied to the third input of the NOR gate 122, to a third NOR gate 130 through an inverter 132 and to an input of a NAND gate 134.

The redundant section/redundant row circuit 118 receives only the 9 low order bits RA0-RA8 of the row address. The circuit 118 stores row addresses corresponding to defective rows of memory cells in the redundant section and compares those addresses to the received row address bits RA0-RA8. In event of a match, the redundant section/redundant row circuit 118 generates an active high SECTION RED ROW MATCH signal in response to the ACTIVE signal. The SECTION RED ROW MATCH signal may be applied to an input of the NOR gate 130 and to an input of the NAND gate 134. The output of the NAND gate 134 may be applied to an inverter 136.

In operation, the NOR gate 122 generates an active high ACTIVATE NORMAL ROW signal in the event all of its inputs are low. All of its inputs will be low if the main array row decoder 110 decodes a bank and row address corresponding to a bank and a row in the associated bank, if the main array redundant match circuit 114 does not detect that the addressed row is defective, and if the redundant section match circuit 116 does not detect that the addressed section is defective. If any of these conditions do not exist, the ACTIVATE NORMAL ROW signal will not be generated. The ACTIVE NORMAL ROW signal causes the addressed row of memory cells in an addressed array 140 of memory cells to be accessed, which can normally occur in most memory accesses.

The NOR gate 126 generates an active high ACTIVATE REDUNDANT ROW signal if all of its inputs are low, which will occur if the main array redundant match circuit 114 determines that a defective row is being addressed in the main array 140 and the redundant section match circuit 116 determines that the addressed section containing the redundant row is not defective. The ACTIVATE REDUNDANT ROW signal causes one of several redundant rows 144 in the main array 140 to be accessed because the addressed row in that section is defective.

The NOR gate 130 generates an active high ACTIVATE REDUNDANT SECTION signal if all of its inputs are low, which will occur if the if the redundant section match circuit 116 detects that the addressed section is defective and the redundant section/redundant row circuit 118 does not detect that the addressed row in the redundant section is defective. The ACTIVATE REDUNDANT SECTION signal then causes the addressed row to be accessed in a redundant section 150 of memory cells.

Finally, the inverter 136 generates an active high ACTIVATE RED ROW/RED SEC signal if all of its inputs are low, which will occur if the redundant section match circuit 116 determines that the addressed section is defective and the redundant section/redundant row circuit 118 detects that the addressed row in the redundant section is defective. In such case the ACTIVATE RED ROW/RED SEC signal causes one of several redundant rows 154 in the redundant section 150 to be accessed.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the disclosed embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the invention. Such modifications are well within the skill of those ordinarily skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A memory array, comprising: a main section of memory cells including a redundant row of memory cells a redundant section of memory cells, the number of memory cells in the redundant section corresponding in number to the number of memory cells in the main section; and an addressing circuit coupled to the main section and the redundant section, the addressing circuit being configured to redirect an access to the main section to the redundant section.
 2. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the addressing circuit is further configured to redirect the access to the main section to the redundant section based, at least in part, on an address.
 3. The memory array of claim 2, wherein the addressing circuit is further configured to redirect the access to at least one of a normal row or a redundant row in the redundant section.
 4. The memory array of claim 2, wherein the addressing circuit is further configured to store addresses corresponding to defective rows of memory cells and provide a match signal responsive, at least in part, to the address matching one of the stored addresses.
 5. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the addressing circuit comprises a plurality of match circuits.
 6. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the redundant section includes another redundant row of memory cells.
 7. The memory array of claim 6, wherein the number of memory cells in the redundant row of the main section corresponds in number to the number of memory cells in the another redundant row of the redundant section.
 8. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the main section of memory cells and the redundant section of memory cells are arranged in a folded digit, line configuration.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a main section of memory having a plurality of normal rows and a plurality of redundant rows; a redundant section of memory having a plurality of normal rows and a plurality of redundant rows; and an addressing circuit coupled to the main section and the redundant section and configured to redirect a memory access based, at least in part, on an address.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of normal rows of the main section corresponds in number to the plurality of normal rows in the redundant section.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the addressing circuit is further configured to compare the address to a plurality of stored addresses corresponding to respective defective rows and provide a match signal responsive, at least in part, to the address matching one of the plurality of stored addresses.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the main section and the redundant section are coupled to a same plurality of sense amplifiers.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the addressing circuit comprises a plurality of match circuits.
 14. A method, comprising: receiving a memory request associated with an address; if the address does not correspond to a main section of memory cells that has been determined to be defective, accessing a normal row corresponding to the address; and if the address corresponds to a section of memory cells that has been determined to be defective, accessing a normal row in a redundant section of memory.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising if the address corresponds to a defective normal row in the main section of memory, accessing a redundant row in the main section of memory.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: if the address corresponds to a defective normal row in the redundant section of memory, accessing a redundant row section of memory.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: if the address corresponds to a defective normal row in the main section of memory and the main section of memory is not defective, accessing a redundant row corresponding to the address in the main section of memory.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising: comparing the address to a plurality of stored bank and row addresses; and if the address matches one of the plurality of stored bank and row addresses, providing one of a plurality of match signals.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the main and redundant sections of memory comprise the same number of normal rows and the same number of redundant rows.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the main section of memory and the redundant section of memory are arranged in a folded digit line configuration. 